Cultural teachings for children in Kelsey Borgford’s, What’s in a Bead?
By Kelly Anne Smith
NIPISSING FIRST NATION – A colourful new book will have children reading about close family relationships, the art of beading in different Indigenous communities, and Cree artisanship and language.
Aimed at six to eight-year old children, the story is told from the viewpoint of the main character Tessa who loves and learns from her kokum.
The author of What’s in a Bead?, Kelsey Borgford is a Nbisiing Anishnaabekwe from the Marten clan. Kelsey spoke about her new book during Indigenous Week at Nipissing University, hosted by the Office of Indigenous Initiatives. The author explains that What’s in a Bead? offers readers a digestive, but educational story about beadwork.
“It brings readers through a journey of understanding the tough topics, but also what makes the art so beautiful and important.”
At just 23, Kelsey Borgford is celebrating two published works – the other being a book of poems, Once the Smudge is Lit, and co-authored with Cole Forrest. She is in her first year of Indigenous Studies at Nipissing University, after having graduated this past summer from Anishinabek Educational Institute with a diploma in the Native Community Worker Program – Traditional Healing Methods. Kelsey also completed a certificate in Indigenous Wellness and Addictions Prevention at Canadore College.
“It has been a challenging process to obtain higher education; however, it certainly helps with many skills such as advocacy, networking, and my overall ability to write.”
Tessa Pizzale is the illustrator of What’s in a Bead? and is a good friend of Kelsey’s. Asked how she thought up the story, Kelsey says it was about being close to Tessa’s family.
“Typically, when I write, the words come to me without me thinking in advance and this story is an example of that. Hearing the stories of Tessa and her grandmother allowed the story to flow seamlessly to me.”
Kelsey shared that Tessa’s Kokum-baa’s name is Pauline and her mother is Lauree Linklater-Pizzale.
“Growing up going to Tessa’s house, Lauree would show us techniques of creating art that her mom showed her, such as working with two-needle stitch beadwork. Lauree attested how much cleaner the beadwork was, but it is very tedious! It goes to show how much talent has been translated through the family.”
The author talked of Tessa reading her mind about what Kelsey wanted for illustrations in What’s in a Bead?
“Tessa understands what I am looking for in all of our collaborative work, and the vision I had was clearly a shared one. She did a beautiful job, especially with her use of colour to invoke emotion. Colour inspires me a lot. Often when I am doing beadwork, I will have sets of beads pre-lined up that I want to use because it brings me so much happiness to work with.”
What’s in a Bead? is available in the Cree language, translated by Angela Shisheesh and Tessa’s uncle, Duane Linklater.
“I have immense respect for the Cree way of life, many of my teachings come from the Cree way. It was an honour to have Duane translate as he is one of my teachers on my path in life.”
During her talk, Kelsey spoke about passing on cultural traditions and identity in her work.
“My creative energy has always been a huge part of who I am, and so has the culture. Incorporating the two into pieces I can share with the world was a clear-cut path for me to take.”
Pow wow is a core essence to Kelsey who was Miss Nipissing First Nation from 2019 to 2022.
“Pow wow has been a large part of my journey since I was a teen. It has given me so much in terms of knowledge and surrounding myself with good healthy people. It has helped me adapt a positive mindset and care for myself in a good way.
Being out on the land is rejuvenating for Kelsey as well, especially taking in Duchesnay Falls on the traditional lands of Nipissing First Nation.
“Spending time on the land helps me to centre myself, and I enjoy it in any form it comes in. One of my favourite places to spend time is at the falls as you can really feel that powerful energy. It is an energy so generous and fruitful that I feel I can draw from it.”
Kelsey Borgford looks forward to reading her book What’s in a Bead? to children.
“I’ve been able to gift some advanced copies to some awesome kids in my life! I cannot wait to work with children in the community and share the story with them.”